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House Republican
transportation plan dedicates $6 billion to relieve traffic congestion –
without raising taxes
Plan represents a mindset shift in Olympia from
‘what is’ to ‘what could be’
House Republicans today
unveiled a transportation plan that dedicates more than $6 billion over
ten years to relieve traffic congestion – without raising taxes.
“Nearly seventy percent of people believe Olympia leaders are doing a
poor job addressing congestion relief. The people deserve better, and we
can do better,” said
Rep.
Doug Ericksen, ranking Republican on the House Transportation
Committee. “Our state needs three things for an effective transportation
system – real leadership, real change and money. Our plan offers this
and we are looking forward to taking it to the public.”
House Republicans are especially concerned about the inaction of the
defining projects of the day – the 520 Bridge and Alaskan Way Viaduct.
“We’ve known for a long time that these structures are dangerous and in
need of replacement,” said Ericksen, R-Ferndale. “We need more
decisions and fewer commissions. It’s great to get input, but at some
point there needs to be leadership. We feel that time is long overdue.”
“The entrenched
bureaucracy in Olympia will do all it can to resist change – no matter
how important it is for our transportation infrastructure,” said
Ericksen. “Our plan represents a mindset shift from ‘what is’ to
‘what could be.’ And it offers real change. That’s why we expect it to
meet resistance in Olympia.”
The
House Republican plan includes the following funding sources:
-
utilizing private
sector innovation through Transportation Improvement Zone financing
for an Alaskan Way Viaduct tunnel ($1.5 billion);
-
10 percent of sales
and use tax on new and used automobiles and auto parts ($1.3
billion);
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sales and use tax on
transportation projects ($565 million);
-
savings from
completing the 520 Bridge by 2013 ($600 million); and
-
tolls on the new 520
Bridge and Columbia River Crossing only after they are completed ($2
billion).
The
approach would dedicate more than $6 billion to transportation projects
statewide:
520 Bridge with
original pontoon design ($1.8 billion)
The funding, combined with
the nearly $2 billion of existing funding already committed to the
project, would design and construct pontoons to support up to eight
lanes to serve future needs of the region. The plan would also include
tolls only on the new structure.
North-Spokane
corridor ($1 billion)
The funding would provide
more state support for this critical freight corridor and also provide
congestion relief to the Spokane region.
Columbia River
Crossing ($1 billion)
The funding, backed by
tolls, would help replace a vital link between Oregon and Washington and
reduce congestion for the I-5 corridor in Vancouver.
Highway 2 ($500
million)
Safety and congestion
relief improvements. The U.S. 2 Route Development Plan identified 56
projects at a cost of $1.8 billion to improve safety and reduce traffic
on the U.S. 2 corridor. The plan provides $500 million of funding for
high-priority safety and congestion relief projects.
I-405 ($500 million)
Congestion relief
projects. The I-405 corridor is one of the most congested highways in
the state. The plan provides money for congestion reduction projects at
major chokepoints on the corridor.
State Route 9 ($300
million)
Safety and congestion
relief improvements. The S.R. 9 corridor was a high priority for
Snohomish County in the Prop. 1 package that failed in November. This
corridor has experienced rapid growth and is in need of safety
improvements and widening to accommodate additional traffic. The plan
provides funding for additional lanes and safety improvements along S.R.
9.
I-5/State Route 704
Cross-Base Highway ($250 million)
The south Pierce County
area has experienced tremendous growth. The Cross-Base Highway would
provide another east-west link that would reduce traffic on I-5 and
connect with Frederickson manufacturing facilities.
State Route 167
($250 million)
Additional lanes. The S.R.
167 corridor is an important freight and commuter link for Pierce and
King counties. This highway experiences heavy traffic and is in need of
widening. The plan provides funding to construct additional lane
capacity on S.R. 167 at major chokepoints in the corridor.
Other statewide
transportation needs -
projects dedicated to safety
and congestion relief improvements ($469 million)
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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